Barco CTRL – A timeline of control
2024 stories · Enterprise · Innovation · 9 min read
The innovative CTRL software and hardware platform that Barco launched in 2023, has quickly become the flagship product of the Control Room business unit (BU). Serving as the cornerstone of the team’s shift toward software-based solutions, Barco CTRL enhances operator productivity, while ensuring the highest level of cybersecurity. Curious about its journey? Let’s dive into the development and sales timeline of Barco CTRL.
Before 2023
Next to its large video walls and controllers, Barco is also a leader in control room software. With the TransForm N networked visualization solution, and the OpSpace operator desk software, we revolutionize the efficiency and effectiveness of control rooms in general and of the individual operators in particular.
2023
March 2023: Barco CTRL launch
During a launch event for partners and integrators, Barco proudly presents CTRL, a major innovation in control room technology. The new software and hardware platform simplifies workflows, deployment, and serviceability, allowing users to securely connect to their sources, from any location, and interact with the content on any video wall or operator desk. Partners and integrators welcome CTRL’s easy use and installation, the cybersecurity focus, and the transparent features roadmap.
April 2023: first order
Barco CTRL quickly gains traction in the market. Only 2 weeks after the launch, we receive the first order, from a European distributor of electronic appliances.
October 2023: the first BIG order
As Barco CTRL is utterly scalable, the solution can be deployed in both very small and huge control room settings. A US-based utilities company orders over 1,200 encoders and decoders!
September 2023: first full deployment
The first fully operational Barco CTRL solution goes live at an emergency management service in the US. Following swift deployment and staff training, the solution serves as a reliable platform for the control room.
2024
January 2024: ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Because control rooms require very secure environments, customers need the peace of mind that their systems can uphold these critical levels of data protection. Barco highlights its security ambitions for Barco CTRL by complying with the strict ISO/IEC 27001 standard on information security, cybersecurity, and privacy protection.
July 2024: major release
The successful July 2024 release introduces a lot of new features. In this way, it enables sales to scale up and brings the product closely on par with the previous generations of Control Room Operator Desk Software (OpSpace). This is a solid basis for further development.
October 2024: 20th new partner
The market is enthusiastic about Barco CTRL and this has not gone unnoticed by integrators and distributors. In October, we welcome the 20th new partner in 2024, eager to present the solution to its customers and prospects
December 2024: steady release rhythm.
Barco CTRL has a clear and transparent roadmap, gradually introducing valuable and innovative new features. In December 2024, we present our sixth bimonthly software upgrade, adding features like server redundancy, multi-language support, multi-head encoder support, enhanced security, and many, many more.
December 2024: 231 Barco CTRL installations up and counting
We close the year with no less than 231 Barco CTRL installations around the world. Many more deployments are being prepared, and we are more than ready to continue going full steam ahead in 2025!
